Dennis Gonzalez ran the third fastest 10k time in VCSU history as the Viking track & field teams competed at a pair of large meets.

The Vikings sent a handful of athletes to the Sioux City Relays on Friday in Sioux City, Iowa, where Gonzalez won the men's 10k race with a time of 31:43.58. It was the third fastest time in Viking history and the school's fastest time since 1989. He bested a field of 17 runners to win the meet title. His time missed the NAIA National Qualifying Standard by just 13 seconds.

The Vikings brought most of their team to the Lyle Hokanson Classic in Fargo. Viking athletes recorded third-place finish in both the men's and women's javelin competitions. VCSU recorded a dozen personal records between the two meets and had nine Top 10 finishes.

"This was the most competitive meet we have been at during this school year, so I was pleased to have several top-end performances by our student-athletes," said VCSU head coach Chris Johnson. "Facing high level Division I and Division II competition is never an easy thing, but this is what it takes to be great. I believe this will only make us better for the stretch run of the season."

Garret Roemmich led the men's team in Fargo with a third-place finish in men's javelin, recording a career-best throw of 53.01 meters. Seri Geisler also took third in the women's javelin with a toss of 49.45 meters.

Niklas Ernst placed eighth in the men's 400 hurdles, running a career-best time of 57.34 seconds.

Up next: Valley City State will compete at the Al Cassel Relays on Saturday, April 29, in Jamestown.